In the shade: 9 of the best wooden pendants

The wonders of modern technology have enabled the recent proliferation of beautiful wooden pendants and shades. This ancient material, once too heavy and unsuitable for lighting design due to the old heat inducing incandescent light bulbs, can now be safely used with LED as LED emits much less heat and won’t scorch or burn the timber that surrounds it.

This has resulted in an array of elegant and interesting styles from designers keen to push the boundaries in modern lighting – and our edit includes nine of the best wooden pendants on the market.

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Tom Raffield’s Scots lighting range has slatted timber scales, skilfully shaped and intricately layered, resembling the woodland pine cones from which it takes its influence.

Another intricate design is the Bau Light from Normann Copenhagen, a sculptural pendant light that plays with shape and geometry.

Ginger 32 by Joan Gaspar for Marset resembles a flying saucer, while Leaf at Holloways of Ludlow was inspired by a pad of post its.

There are simple and sustainable styles from Abode, with its Bamboo dome basket, Out & Out Original's Morom bamboo shade and Ikea’s Industriell, which is woven in bamboo - each offering a light, rustic way to illuminate a room.

Secto's Puncto 4203 is a modern design classic, while Tala's Noma is not only a stylish triangular shape, it reduces energy consumption by up to 90%, so it's the eco-friendly option too.

See our edit of Globe pendants here.

Designed by TineK Home this Bamboo Dome Basket shade is rustic in style with an open basket design.

Marset’s Ginger 32 pendant is Joan Gaspar’s study about wood, light and design. The challenging structure of the shade was achieved by pressing together sheets of wood, paper and resin into a beautifully arched laminate.

Inspiration for this piece started with a pad of post-it notes lying on a desk. Four pieces of formpressed, laminated timber then became a lampshade that eventually resulted in ’Leaf'.

This natural fibre shade gives a soft glowing light, that will give your home a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

This sculptural pendant light plays with shape and geometry resulting in a statement shade.

This solid bamboo pendant is available in natural, black and white painted finishes.

This shade is handmade from Finnish birch by highly skilled craftsmen. The design by interior architect Seppo Koho has a clear and simple Scandinavian feel, while the wood provides a soft luminosity for atmosphere and appeal.

Designed to emit a soft white light, this simple lamp illuminates interiors with a gorgeous tone and warmth.

Inspired by woodland pinecones, layers of timber overlap to build an organic armour of ash, oak or walnut leaves, tiled together on a birch wood frame.

Inspired by woodland pinecones, layers of timber overlap to build an organic armour of ash, oak or walnut leaves, tiled together on a birch wood frame.